Ex-partner mobile phone contract

aclark2021

My family member took out a phone contact for her partner a few months back, they have now split, he still has the phone while the billing and account name is still under my family members name.

He has previously racked up large bills on the account and we have put a ban/suspended the phone.

However this month he has again racked up a large bill on the account via google play phone carrier payment option and has also managed to change the phone account email.

We are in the process of trying to change the email back but we still have now idea how to stop him from accumulating large bills on the account, any help would be appreciated.

[Deleted User]

Either put a cap on the spend or, better still, cancel the contract. Give him a PAC code if he wants to get his own contract and keep the number.

aclark2021

Apparently threes spend cap doesn’t include third party charges (which include google play services) as there was a cap placed at the same time we suspended the phone.

Unfortunately it does look like we might have to bite the bullet and cancel the contract.

nyermen

Presumably if its only a few months, it has at least 8 (or 20?) months remaining on the contract (unless its a month to month one)

If the ex wants the number, they need to agree to taking over the account (if thats possible), otherwise tough - take back control (get a sim change, bring ID to a store ).  The family member will still be paying off the remaining minimum contract but at least the costs will be controlled (can they use it?  transfer their own number to it, if maybe their own provider account is out of minimum term).

I think a PAC code request may result in the account being terminated and the full remaining term being liable immediately, however the provider can advise better, its worth asking, they may be able to offer the PAC code at least (or change the number so the family member can use the service)

For what its worth, I had my ex on my account (2 lines) many years ago, and they agreed to split the account when we split up. Neither of us were in a fixed period though.

aclark2021

As far as I know I think the contract has 18 months left, the ex and family are not on speaking terms as he has done some funny business with her money before.

My mothers contract is up for renewal this year, I wonder if we could transfer her number to the account and remove his then we could save money in the long term, otherwise we might have to look into cancelling the contract.

pinkshoes

I would just see if you can cancel the contract immediately and pay the monthly line rental charge for the remaining 18 months in one lump sum to pay them off. That way there would be no more unexpected bills. 

If the phone was gifted to him then not a lot you can do about that. Easier just to let it go.

Jenni_D

Do you have the IMEI number for the phone?

ItsComingRome

pinkshoes said:

I would just see if you can cancel the contract immediately and pay the monthly line rental charge for the remaining 18 months in one lump sum to pay them off. That way there would be no more unexpected bills. 

If the phone was gifted to him then not a lot you can do about that. Easier just to let it go.

Or say the SIM was lost and get a new one.  At least that way they have the option of using it at some point during the minimum contract duration.

Brie

If your family member is paying for an ex to play games on a phone I would say simply cancel it just to rid yourselves of any future hassle.  So what if he no longer has a phone number.  He obviously doesn't care that he's causing a problem.

aclark2021

Jenni_D said:

Do you have the IMEI number for the phone?

Don’t know, will have to check but I don’t think we have it

ItsComingRome

aclark2021 said:

Jenni_D said:

Do you have the IMEI number for the phone?

Don’t know, will have to check but I don’t think we have it

Falsely stating the phone was lost or stolen could come back to bite you.  Just ask for a new SIM.